Microdialysis measurement of catecholamines in rabbit vitreous after retinal laser photocoagulation.

A method of intravitreous microdialysis in vivo is used to measure the vitreal concentration of catecholamines and their metabolites after laser panphotocoagulation of rabbit retina. Noradrenaline, dopamine and dihydroxyphenylacetic acid could be measured. No significant immediate effects of laser coagulation on their concentration could be demonstrated. After 4 days an increase in dihydroxyphenylacetic acid was observed, which subsided after 7 days. At that moment a slight increase of vitreous dopamine was noted.